The body recovered from the ocean in the area of milepost marker 3.89 South Highway 1, Gualala has been identified as that of Stephen Clark Pease, 57, from Roseville, Calif., according to press releases from the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. The body was discovered by recreational divers and retrieved by law enforcement officers on Nov. 23, 2013 and later identified through the serial number on a hip implant. Classification of the death of Stephen Clark Pease is still undetermined, and the rented silver 2014 Chevrolet Captiva with Oregon license plate 500GKN, which Mr. Pease was known to be driving, has yet to be located. Read the original press release and two updates below.

ORIGINAL PRESS RELEASE:

On 11.23.13, at approximately 1230 hours, recreational divers were swimming in the Pacific Ocean near the shore in the area of milepost marker 3.89 South Highway 1, Gualala, when they located the floating body of a deceased person.

The divers called the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. The Sonoma County Sheriff Helicopter (Henry 1), members of the South Coast Volunteer Fire Department, a California Highway Patrol Officer, and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife Warden also responded to assist with the recovery of the decedent.

The warden donned a wetsuit and swam out to the decedent and pulled him to the shore. Due to the height and steepness of the cliff it was not possible to carry the decedent up to the roadway. A Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff and a South Coast Firefighter were suspended under the helicopter and lowered to the decedent. They were able to place the decedent's remains in a litter and they were moved to an open field near the roadway with the helicopter.

The male decedent appears to have been in the water for more than a few days and no identification was located. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office is investigating the identity of the decedent at this time.

The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office wishes to gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Highway Patrol, and South Coast Fire Department.

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 1:

On 11-26-13 a forensic autopsy was conducted on the decedent and during the examination the decedent was found to have hip replacement implants.

A check of the serial numbers on the implants confirmed the decedent as being Stephen Clark Pease who had been reported missing to the Roseville Police Department on 10-31-13.

The Roseville Police Department missing person‚s investigation determined Pease had checked out of a Fort Bragg area motel on 11-03-13, which was approximately 50-60 miles from where his body was recovered.

Pease was last known to be driving a rented silver 2014 Chevrolet Captiva with Oregon license plate 500GKN and at this time the vehicle's whereabouts are unknown.

The coroner's investigation is ongoing into the cause of Pease's death.

UPDATED PRESS RELEASE 2:

On 01-15-2014 the Mendocino County Chief Deputy Coroner classified the death of Stephen Clark Pease as being Undetermined due to undetermined causes.

The rented silver 2014 Chevrolet Captiva with Oregon license plate 500GKN has yet to be located even after a land and aerial search of the area where Pease was found.

Hear more on this story in the report below, submitted and aired by KMUD News Director, Terri Klemetson, on the KMUD Local NEWS, Friday, Jan. 24, 2014.

Press releases from the Navy Public Affairs Ofice:

The U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with military readiness training and testing activities conducted primarily within existing range complexes, operating areas and testing ranges in the Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Study Area.

The Navy invites the public to comment on the NWTT Draft EIS, whether it be online on the project website, in person at one of our public meetings, or by mail. The document as well as an online comment form can be found on the project's website at www.NWTTEIS.com. All comments must be postmarked or received online by March 25, 2014, for consideration in the Final EIS.

*Note: This EIS is different from the EA-18 G Growler Airfield Operations EIS for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the P-8 A MMA Supplemental EIS for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman EIS in Boardman, Oregon.

SILVERDALE, Wash. - The U.S. Navy has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement (EIS/OEIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with military readiness training and testing activities conducted primarily within existing range complexes, operating areas and testing ranges in the Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Study Area. The Navy invites you to comment on the NWTT Draft EIS/OEIS.

Proposed ActionThe Navy proposes to conduct training and testing activities, to include the use of active sonar and explosives, within the NWTT Study Area. The Proposed Action also includes pierside sonar maintenance and testing within the NWTT Study Area.

The purpose of the Proposed Action is to ensure that the Navy accomplishes its mission to maintain, train and equip combat-ready naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. This mission is achieved in part by training and testing within the NWTT Study Area. The NWTT EIS/OEIS also supports the renewal of federal regulatory permits and authorizations for current training and testing activities and future activities requiring environmental analysis.

The NWTT Study Area is composed of Navy training and testing range complexes, operating areas, testing facilities, and select Navy pierside locations in the Pacific Northwest. Aircraft training and testing activities that take place on or within established Navy airfields at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash. or Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility Boardman, Ore. are not included in this NWTT EIS/OEIS.

Visit the project website at www.NWTTEIS.com to download the Draft EIS/OEIS, view a map of the NWTT Study Area, learn more about the project and submit comments online.

Availability of Draft EIS/OEIS and Public Comment Period:The Navy is seeking public input on the Proposed Action and alternatives, and the accuracy and adequacy of the Draft EIS/OEIS analysis. The Draft EIS/OEIS is available for public review online at www.NWTTEIS.com and at the following locations:

Northern California:. Fort Bragg Branch Library. Humboldt County Public Library, Arcata Main Library. Humboldt County Public Library, Eureka Main Library

The Navy is accepting comments throughout the 60-day public comment period, from Jan. 24, 2014, to March 25, 2014. All comments must be postmarked or received online by March 25, 2014, for consideration in the Final EIS/OEIS. Written comments may be submitted via the project website at www.NWTTEIS.com, in person at the public meetings or by mail to:Naval Facilities Engineering Command NorthwestAttention: Ms. Kimberly Kler - NWTT EIS/OEIS Project Manager1101 Tautog Circle, Suite 203Silverdale, WA 98315-1101

Public Meetings:Eight public meetings will be held to inform the public about the Navy's Proposed Action and findings in the Draft EIS/OEIS, and solicit public comments on the environmental analysis. The public meetings will include an open house information session starting at 5 p.m. During this time, Navy representatives will provide information and answer questions about the Proposed Action and Draft EIS/OEIS. A short presentation by the Navy will begin at 6:30 p.m. Comments will be accepted throughout the public meeting.

Dakota Danial Hayward (shown in the photo) was arrested at a residence in Coffee Creek, north of Trinity Center, for the murder of William “Billy” Foster, according to a press release from the Trinity County Sheriff's Office. Foster was found deceased at his residence in Trinity Center by Sheriff's Deputies on Jan. 18 after the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call reporting a shooting at the residence. Subsequent investigations led to the identification and arrest of Dakota Hayward, age 21, as the murder suspect. The press release appears below.

Press release from the Trinity County Sheriff's Office, dated January 20, 2014:

On January 18, 2014 at approximately 10:00 pm the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call for medical aid stating that a male adult had been shot at a residence on the corner of Maude and Airport Road in Trinity Center. When Investigators and Deputies arrived on scene they located the victim identified as William “Billy” Foster deceased at his residence in Trinity Center. The reporting party for the medical aid was located and interviewed. A suspect was identified as Dakota Danial Hayward of Trinity Center. Investigators received information that Hayward was at a residence in Coffee Creek north of Trinity Center. Deputies located Hayward at that residence in Coffee Creek and took him into custody without incident.

Investigators have interviewed Hayward and other witnesses to the crime. Motive or any other specific details will not be released at this time as to not compromise the investigation.

Dakota Hayward was booked into the Trinity County Jail on 187(a) PC – Murder. He is still currently in custody without bail.

A 60 year old man died in a Humboldt County hospital last Mon. from complications related to flu confirmed to be H1N1 influenza, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services. The event prompted Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Donald Baird to remark that,"...this resident’s death serves as a reminder that H1N1 has the potential to cause serious illness, in all age groups, even in previously healthy individuals."

Press release from Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

A man in his 60s died Monday in a Humboldt County hospital from influenza related complications. Laboratory results confirmed H1N1 influenza. Officials report he had other underlying health conditions. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time,” said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Donald Baird, who added that to protect the man’s privacy, no additional information would be released. Baird noted that while some cases of flu can be less severe than others, this resident’s death serves as a reminder that H1N1 has the potential to cause serious illness, in all age groups, even in previously healthy individuals.

This death is the first in Humboldt County believed to be related to H1N1 for the 2013-14 flu season. Flu season generally runs from October to May. Statewide, seven laboratory-confirmed flu deaths of people under the age of 65 have been reported this flu season to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as of Jan. 4. An additional 28 deaths are currently being investigated as possibly related to influenza.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older be vaccinated. It usually takes two weeks after receiving the flu vaccine for antibodies to build up in the body sufficiently to achieve the best protection.“A flu vaccine is needed every year because flu viruses are constantly changing,” said Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Public Health Director Susan Buckley. “Getting vaccinated is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get the flu and spread it to others.” This year’s flu vaccine protects against three different flu viruses: H1N1, H3N2 and one type of influenza B. Most of the cases tested locally are coming back positive for H1N1, the same strain associated with the 2009 pandemic.

DHHS is offering a walk-in flu shot clinic every Thursday in January from 1 to 4 p.m. at its Public Health office at 529 I St. in Eureka. Remaining clinic dates are Jan. 16, 23 and 30. No appointment is necessary. The cost of the flu shot is $17, though no one will be turned away for inability to pay. Medicare is accepted. In addition to the Thursday walk-in clinic, appointments for flu vaccines can be made Monday through Friday at the DHHS Public Health Clinic. To make an appointment, call 268-2108. Vaccines are also available at a number of other local pharmacies and healthcare providers.

“There is more you can do to prevent the spread of the flu in addition to getting a flu shot,” Buckley said. “We recommend practicing the ‘3 Cs’: Clean your hands, cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, and contain your germs by staying home if you get sick.”

Update April 1, 2014 - The rainstorms in March helped to get us caught up in our Rain Season Totals, but we're not out of the woods yet. The Rain Season comparisons typically begin with a dry period and end in a dry period, which for us, in Northern California, is from July thru June. The table and chart below were provided by KMUD Weather Watcher Cheryl Albritton. The photo was taken on March 31, 2014 by Bob Froehlich and shows Sprowel Creek about a quarter mile before it flows into the South Fork Eel River.

Season Rainfall Comparisons (shown in inches) : July 1- March 31 for 4 years, 2013-2014 thru 2010-2011 (Note, the Eureka data for 2010-2011 was unavailable.)

Update March, 29, 2014 - With even more rain in the forecast for our local areas, the last storm served to swell our creeks, rivers and ponds and bring springs in the area back to life. Whitethorn was the big winner in this listing of rainfall from 17 locations in our area. The photo shows Little Sprowel Creek today (Sat. March 29). The table below was provided by KMUD Weather Watcher Cheryl Albritton.

Update: March 3, 2014 - Rain totals for the month of Feb., 2014 are looking good, but season to date (July 1, 2013 - Feb. 28, 2014) rainfall is still well below average - view the details in the tables and charts below (provided by Cheryl Albritton.)

Use the player below to hear KMUD Weather Watcher, Cheryl Albritton, report the latest details. This story was aired on the KMUD Local News on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014 by KMUD News Director Terri Klemetson.

The creeks, rivers and ponds in the North Calif. Coastal area are looking somewhat better as the last three day rainfall brings some much needed precipitation to our area. KMUD News Weather Watcher, Cheryl Albritton, had this to say as she supplied the local rainfall numbers for the Feb.6 through Feb. 10 period. "Turns out we didn't need a Miracle March or Miracle May. Instead we got a Fabulous February!! Here are some rainfall totals for this recent storm - shown going from highest rainfall amount to lowest rainfall amount."

In the second table below Cheryl searched out and reported areas in California that had the highest daily rainfall during specific days of that Feb. 6-10 period. All numbers are reported in inches.

Update: Jan 30, 2014 - Our area has received some rain in this last storm (see below for the actual numbers from Cheryl Albritton) but not enough to affect current drought conditions. On last night's KMUD Local News, Anchor Amber Griffin aired an interview with Robert Ruehl, the Observing Program Leader with the National Weather Service in Eureka who indicates that, "The rainfall we experienced over the last 24 hours hasn't really been anything we can consider a drought buster." Use the player below, to hear more on the rainfall issue, including some speculations on what may lie head for our area.

According to KMUD Weather Watcher Cheryl Albritton, "While this storm system didn't do much as far as the drought is considered, it was a much needed drop in the bucket of water. Fire danger will be dampened down for a few days, and the flora and fauna, as well as a few vehicles, got a much needed bath."

Weather watching has become the hot topic of conversation and concern lately as California Governor Brown declared a state-wide drought emergency on Jan. 17, 2014. Locally, December rainfall totals were very low and continued lack of rain in January has many worried about what this may mean for our summer creeks, rivers and fish. Lake Oroville and lake Shasta are both at only 36% full and other reservoirs fair even worse, while the Sierra snow-pack, where the state gets about a third of its water, was 84% below average as of Jan. 10.

The lack of precipitation is attributed to a massive zone of high pressure nearly four miles high and 2,000 miles long that has been blocking storms for more than a year. Meteorologist Daniel Swain calls this "The Ridiculously Resilient Ridge.” And according to Swain’s blog, the Calif. Weather Blog (http://www.weatherwest.com) , blocking ridges and persistent high surface pressure centers are actually a fairly common feature of the climate over the North Pacific region in winter and have often been associated with periods of dry and stable weather along the West Coast of North America, including California. But this present condition, the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge (RRR), has behaved in a manner not typical of most North Pacific ridging events. The RRR keeps re-building, and it is this resilience that makes it extremely unusual.

There are even speculations that we could be headed into a cycle of longer lasting drought periods as evidence mounts that ancient droughts in California occurred about 1100 years ago and lasted as long as 220 years and that relatively wet periods like the 20th century have been the exception rather than the rule in California. This information appeared in a New York Times Science article by William K. Stevens on July 19, 1994 and cited work done by Dr. Scott Stine, a paleoclimatologist at California State University at Hayward, who used radiocarbon dating techniques to determine the age of the trees' outermost annual growth rings.

KMUD Weather Watcher, Cheryl Albritton, has suppied the charts and tables of rainfall seen below, and according to Cheryl, "California is set to have 2013 go down as the driest year since 1850. Here is a snapshot of the month of Dec in Humboldt County - 2010 thru 2013. The extreme swings in the pattern of precipitation are readily apparent."

Update: Jan. 30, 2014 - As reported by Amber Griffin on the KMUD Local News, Jan. 29, 2014, the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights will proceed with a formal investigation regarding alleged racial discrimination against Native American students at Loleta Union School District. The investigation was triggered by a complaint filed by the California Indian Legal Services and the American Civil Liberties Union on December 18, 2014. See the original post and a link to the complaint letter below. According to Amber Griffin, “The ACLU expects to sit down with the Office of Civil Rights by the end of the month to discuss allegations in detail."

Click here for additional information on this development appearing in an article by Will Houston in the Times-Standard.

The original post appears below.

Last evening KMUD News covered the suit filed against the Eureka School District by the ACLU and the National Center for Youth Law in behalf of a group of students. See the post below: "ACLU files discrimination suit against Eureka City Schools." Now another complaint has surfaced. This one from the California Indian Legal Services and the ACLU asking the Department of Education Civil Rights Division to investigate alleged racial discrimination against Native American students at Loleta Union School District. Click here to see the letter addressed to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Use the player below to hear this report, aired on Tues., Jan., 7, 2014 by KMUD News Anchor Christina Aanestad, including an interview with Delia Parr, the managing attorney with California Indian Legal Services who indicates they've made racial discrimination complaints to the Loleta Union School District since 2007. Also, Matt Mattson, Executive Director of Tribal Operations of the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, says that it's shocking that this kind of behavior could be occurring in 2014.

A lawsuit, naming a number of Eureka City School District employees and Board Members, was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Center for Youth Law on behalf of four high school students. The plaintiff's Preliminary Statement declares that, "Defendants have subjected and continue to subject Black and Native American students to a racially hostile educational environment by engaging in and allowing pervasive racial harassment, disproportionately and unfairly disciplining Black and Native American students, disproportionately pushing Native American students out of District schools and into alternative schools, and providing racially-offensive and culturally-denigrating curricula in District schools." Click here to view a copy of the lawsuit legal document.

Use the player below to hear more on this story in a piece aired by KMUD News Anchor Christina Aanestad, on Mon. Jan., 6, 2014 as Jory Steele, Managing Attorney with the ACLU, explains that the lawsuit was a last resort after the parents had made dozens of complaints to school officials.

To be placed on the ballot, each of the proposed initiatives must meet a series of requirements including: approval by the Office of Legislative Counsel, submission to the Attorney General to request preparation of a circulating title/summary of the chief purpose/points of the initiative, and collection of signatures of registered voters. A maximum of 150 days, from the official summary date, is allowed for signature collection. However, signature collection must be completed at least 131 days before the election. Petition circulators must obtain more than 500,000 (at least 5% of the total votes cast for Governor at the last gubernatorial election) qualified signatures for the proposal to qualify, which means shooting for at least 10% more to give a safe margin for disqualifications. Click here for the full process and procedure for implementing a ballot initiative.

The 2010 election witnessed the defeat Prop. 19, the California ballot effort to legalize and regulate marijuana for general use, but since then two states, Colorado and Washington, have passed marijuana reform legislation, other regions in the U.S. have liberalized their pot policies, and changing attitudes regarding marijuana use have been documented. The relevant questions now are: How many different initiatives will be on the California ballot in 2014, and will one of them get the 51% majority needed to become the law of the land? Or, will the issue be deferred to the 2016 election?

Comparisons between the current proposals require careful scrutiny. As a starting point a comparison chart has been created and published by Shona Levana Gochenaur. Note: the accuracy of this chart has not been evaluated. Crafting and getting financial support for any initiative walks the fine line between satisfying the measure's base supporters while still being palatable enough to voters to win a majority at election time, and there are some major differences in these four proposals. For example, the most liberal of the quartet is The California Cannabis Hemp Initiative 2014, championed by followers of Jack Herer a legendary California cannabis advocate who died in 2010. This proposal would allow for 99 flowering plants per year to be grown by adults for personal use and would cap the taxes at 10% of the retail price of the product. Whereas, The Control, Regulate and Tax Marijuana Act imposes a 25% tax and stipulates that for personal use, "...not more than six plants may be possessed, grown, or processed at a single home or private residence, or upon the grounds of that home or private residence, at one time."

The California marijuana legislative landscape will be changing as the signature collection deadlines come and go and financial and volunteer support for the proposals solidifies. The current initiatives may be viewed by clicking the links in the first paragraph above.

Update- Fri., Jan. 10, 2014: On Fri. Jan., 10, 2014, Christina Aanestad interviewed Sheriff Mike Downey about the murder of Father Eric Freed and the circumstances involving the arrested suspect in the case, Gary Lee Bullock. See the post and press release below. Bullock was arrested on December 31, 2013, the day before the homicide, for public intoxication and then released at 12:34 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2014. At about 9 a.m. on Jan. 1, officers were dispatched to the St.Bernard Church Rectory in Eureka where they found Father Erick Freed deceased, and on Jan. 2 Bullock was arrested for the murder. Sheriff Downey responds to criticism that law enforcement could have done more. Use the KMUD News SoundCloudplayer below to hear the interview.

Previous posts:

According to a report on the Times Standard.com website, Eureka Police Department Chief Andrew Mills confirmed the arrest, at 12:30 pm today, Jan. 2, 2014, of Gary Lee Bullock (shown in the photo) as a suspect in the murder of Father Eric Freed. Bullock was located in a house in the Briceland area and is currently being held by Humboldt County Sheriff's deputies. Father Freed was found mortally injured Wed., Jan 1, 2014 by Deacon Frank Weber, in the Rectory of St. Bernard Church in Eureka after Father Freed failed to show up to conduct Mass. Earlier today, before the arrest, the Eureka Police Department distributed a press release announcing the arrest warrant and hunt for Gary Lee Bullock. The press release appears below. Tune into the 6 pm Local News on KMUD tonight to hear more on this story.

Use the player below to hear a report on the arrest of Gary Lee Bullock. The report was submitted by KMUD News Correspondent, Daniel Mintz, and aired on Thurs., Jan 2, 2014.

Press release from the Eureka Police Department, dated Thurs., Jan. 2, 2014:The Eureka Police Department announced an arrest warrant today for Gary Lee Bullock has been obtained for the murder of Father Eric Freed. Bullock is a white male 6'1”, 195 pounds and has dark colored hair. His last known address was Redway, California. The facts of the case are as follows: On December 31, 2013 Bullock was the subject of a radio call regarding a person who was acting strangely in the Garberville area of southern Humboldt County. Humboldt County deputies located and arrested Bullock for public intoxication. He was taken to jail where he was rejected due to his erratic behavior. Bullock was then taken to the hospital for evaluation where he became more agitated and had to be physically restrained by deputies. Bullock was ultimately booked into jail at 4:34 p.m.

Gary Bullock was released at 12:34 a.m. on Jan. 1. At about 2 a.m. hours officers from Eureka Police Department were dispatched to 615 H Street, regarding a suspicious person. Officers contacted Bullock and found that Bullock was not intoxicated, and did not qualify for an emergency psychological hold. Officers referred Bullock to an emergency shelter for the night.

Later that evening a security guard heard noise in the area of the church and went to investigate. He saw a person matching Bullock's description and directed him to leave the property after a short conversation.

At about 9 a.m. officers were dispatched to the church Rectory where parishioners found Reverend Father Erick Freed badly injured. Officers and a doctor, who is a parishioner at Saint Bernard, observed that he was deceased. The exact cause of death has yet to be determined and an autopsy is scheduled for Saturday. It does appear that there was blunt force trauma to the victim.

EPD's investigation into this homicide has revealed that forced entry was made into the parsonage and a violent struggle ensued. The pastor's vehicle was also noticed missing during the crime scene search. That vehicle is a dark gray 2010 Nissan Hybrid bearing California license plate 6NDW400. Residents are asked to be on the lookout for Gary Bullock and the Pastor's missing vehicle. If spotted they should immediately contact local law enforcement and do not approach the subject. There are currently more than 25 officers, detectives and agents assigned to the task of finding Gary Bullock and bringing him to justice. If friends, family or associates have had contact with Bullock they need to call Detective Sergeant Bill Nova immediately. He can be reached at (707) 268 5261.

Update- Jan. 10, 2014 - Ryan Grammer, 33, was located by family members yesterday afternoon, Jan., 9, 2014, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. Grammer, who was reported missing on Dec. 27, 2013, by his mother, was found at a bus stop in McKinleyville. He was taken by his family to obtain medical care. The press release did not contain any additional information. The original post on this missing person appears below.

Original post:

Ryan Matthew Grammer, 33 years old, (shown in the photo) was reported missing from Eureka by his mother last Friday, according to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office. Ryan, who does not own a vehicle and left his mother's residence on foot, has medical issues and is therefore is considered a high risk missing person. Grammer is described as a white male adult, 33 years old, 6’ tall, approximately 200 lbs, partially grey hair, hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a maroon sweatshirt, and a grey sweatshirt. Anyone with information which might help locate Ryan Grammer is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

HCSO press release:On 12-27-2013, approximately 8:00 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a high risk missing person. The mother of Ryan Matthew Grammer, 33 years old, reported he was last seen at her residence on Nedra Avenue, Eureka on 12-15-2013 after they had been in an argument. Ryan left her residence on foot. He does not own a vehicle. His mother became concerned after he failed to return and left all of his belongings behind. She has checked with all of his friends who have not seen nor heard from him. His mother reported that he always contacts his children on Christmas, and this year he did not. She told the investigating deputy he has medical issues which need to be addressed and treated.

Ryan Grammer is described as a white male adult, 33 years old, 6’ tall, approximately 200 lbs, partially grey hair, hazel eyes. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a maroon sweatshirt, and a grey sweatshirt.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251 or the Sheriffs Office Crime Tip line at 707-268-2539.

One passenger (name withheld pending notification of next of kin) was killed, one sustained moderate injuries, and the driver, Chang Thao age 22 of McKinleyville, was severely injured as his Honda Civic (shown in the photo) spun out of control after passing another vehicle going northbound on US-101, south of Redcrest, Calif. According to a press release from the Calif. Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 7 pm last Fri., Dec., 26, 2013. The Honda was the only vehicle involved in the accident, and according to the press release DUI does not appear to be a factor in this collision. More details can be viewed in the press release below.

CHP Press Release: On 12/26/2013, at approximately 1858 hours, Chang Thao, age 22, of Mckinleyville, CA, was driving a 2000 Honda Civic northbound on US-101, south of Redcrest, CA. The vehicle was traveling in the #1 lane, at approximately 60 mph. After passing a truck tractor towing a semi-trailer, the Honda moved into the #2 lane. As the Honda proceeded northbound it began to travel onto the shoulder of US-101. It then came in contact with the guardrail. Chang Thao steered the Honda to the left in an attempt to return the vehicle to the traffic lanes. Chang Thao lost control of the vehicle and it spun out of control northwesterly across all lanes of traffic. The Honda continued onto the southbound shoulder of US-101 where it stuck a raised asphalt curb. The impact caused the Honda to overturn. Ultimately, the Honda’s passenger side roof and door impacted a large diameter Redwood tree west of the west Roadway edge of US-101.

Due to the collision, the vehicle’s right front passenger, (name being withheld pending notification of the next of kin), age 58, unknown city of residence, suffered fatal injuries. The left rear passenger, Ampoung Lee, age 47, unknown city of residence, received moderate injuries and was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital. Chang Thao, driver, was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital with major injuries.

The Garberville CHP Office is handling the collision investigation, with assistance from the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office.

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